Return from mission Armenia

From October 12 to 19, a team of six surgeons (cardiac, orthopedic, reconstructive and visceral) carried out an operative and reconnaissance mission in Armenia. They visited 3 sites: Yerevan, the country’s capital, Goris and Stepanakert, at the heart of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

A climate of terror reigns throughout the region, where day and night, despite curfews, explosive weapons (suicide drones and other smart munitions) fly over and strike densely populated areas.

In Stepanakert, capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, the city is largely destroyed and the population is holed up in makeshift shelters.

On the front line, two hospitals are urgently treating the most seriously injured: the Central Hospital and a military hospital that has set up a structure with 6 operating tables in the basement. The injuries were appalling, with limbs torn off by cluster bombs. The mortality rate was 30%. Other wounded were evacuated to Goris and Yerevan.

The team of surgeons came to support the care teams at all three sites. They were able to distribute medical supplies and first-aid equipment donated by La Chaîne de l’Espoir, which plans to send additional equipment, consumables and medicines.

A new team of volunteer surgeons is about to take over, to support local medical staff overwhelmed by the influx of wounded.

La Chaîne de l’Espoir is an international NGO founded in 1994 and present in nearly 30 countries. Its mission is to strengthen healthcare systems to give everyone, especially children, the same chances of survival and development.